If you turn a fisherman loose in a tackle shop or large mega outdoors store he or she is sure to find many things to buy. But, if you are the partner or spouse of an angler and you’re trying to find an appropriate gift, you might not have a clue. So here are a few suggestions.
How about a fishing license in his or her stocking? After Dec. 31, all anglers will need a 2021-fishing license. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife sells them online at wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Fishing. An annual license for California residents is $52.66. You can also buy them at Brocco’s Old Barn and Feed Store at 19660 Arnold Drive in Sonoma.
Several of my regular fishing correspondents offer gift certificates, including Keith Fraser at the Loch Lomond Bait Shop in San Rafael. Keith’s shop is the closest and best place to go for information, tackle and bait for fishing on San Francisco Bay. He is also having a sale right now on most of his fishing rods and reels, many at more than half off. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Sonoma to Keith’s shop. Call him at (415) 456-0321 for more information.
Capt. Rick Powers at Bodega Bay Sportsfishing offers gift certificates for a day’s fishing. For $220 your favorite angler will get a full day of angling for rock and ling cod, and Dungeness crab. Most likely he or she will catch and bring home tasty fresh seafood for the whole family to enjoy. Call Rick at 875-3344.
If your partner or spouse is a fly-fisher, the best gift is a day’s fishing with a top guide, and there are a number of choices.
Close to home, Capt. Patrick MacKenzie offers a full day fly-fishing for striped bass on the Napa River for 1 to 2 anglers for $550, includes all the necessary terminal tackle and lunch. Patrick, who lives in Sonoma, really knows the river and where the fish are. Call him at (707) 721-6700.
A little further north, Capt. Hogan Brown, guides fly-fishers on the Sacramento, Feather and Yuba rivers. He’s a great guide and a lot of fun to fish with. His full day rate for 1 to 2 anglers is $500, including flies, etc. and lunch.
My favorite is a day fishing the Rogue River in Southern Oregon with Jim Andras of Andras Outfitters. Jim is not only the best guide I’ve ever fished with, he is also a really nice guy. Jim will row you down some of the prettiest stretches of river you’ve ever floated, and knows where the fish are. A full day for 1 to 2 anglers is $495 and includes lunch, beverages, and all necessary terminal tackle. He even has fly rods and reels at no extra charge if you need one. One of the good things about fishing with Jim is you don’t need to be a great caster, he floats you close enough to the best spots so that it only requires a flip to get the fly in the right spot.
But, if you’d like to improve your casting, then Jim’s wife Rachel, also an experienced guide, offers casting classes. And if you have kids or grandkids who absolutely love fishing, then ask Rachel about her summer fly fishing camps for kids.
They’re located close to Ashland, Oregon, home of the Shakespeare Festival and a delightful small town in which to spend several days and nights. Rachel can even assist you in putting together a package that includes lodging and suggestions for evening activities. Call Rachel and Jim toll free at 800-488-5794.
Anglers looking to wet a line before Christmas will find excellent fishing off the coast for Dungeness crab and rock and lingcod. Call Capt. Rick Powers, 875-3344 to book a trip.
Halibut and striped bass continue to bite like crazy in San Francisco Bay. Call Keith Fraser at (415) 456-0321 for the latest conditions.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is planting rainbow trout this week in Santa Rosa’s Lake Ralphine, and Marin’s Bon Tempe Lake.
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